No. 1

As this family gathers around the Thanksgiving dinner table, one of the blessings they will give thanks for is that their 8-year-old son is able to join the celebration. He was diagnosed with a rare meningioma, a tumor that was pressing on his spine and brain stem, in January. He was flown to St. Louis Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Over the next six months, he had multiple surgeries to remove the tumor and a cervical-occipital fusion with bone graft to stabilize his head. This was followed by 30 rounds of low-dose radiation. It is a positive sign that follow-up MRIs have shown no sign of tumor regrowth. By August, he was able to return to school. There remains, however, the need to make crucial trips to St. Louis for follow-up care and evaluations.

The older children in the family, a daughter who’s in high school and a middle-school-age son, are glad to see the family routine beginning to return to normal. They are fortunate to have nearby grandparents with whom they can stay when their parents travel to St. Louis. Mom and Dad are now struggling with the financial impact of their son’s illness. Mom quit the job she had held for more than 12 years in order to be at the hospital. Dad works out of their home and lost a great deal of business because he, too, wanted to be in St. Louis with their son. This year they need help with Christmas gifts for the children as they work to pay essential bills.

The gift list for the 8-year-old looks very typical for a boy his age. He would like a remote control drone or monster truck, a Soggy Doggy board game and a whoopee cushion so he can play pranks on his brother. A Nerf gun or Lego mini-figures top the older brother’s gift list. He and his sister would both like gift cards to Barnes & Noble, Amazon or Nintendo. Winter clothing would be appreciated by all members of the family. If possible, they would like a toaster and oven mitts.

No. 2: Single mom attending school with 4 kids needs a little help

Without doubt, this single mom will spend time on Thanksgiving being grateful for her four children, ages 11, 9, 7 and 3. She wrote, “I really am blessed with good kids. They are amazing, they are good at school, they are polite, caring, make good grades and are just great kids. I am one lucky mom!” Mom goes on to tell about her busy home filled with children involved in sports, dance and school activities. Mom is a full-time student and about to finish a degree in business. She hopes the long days of caring for her family and studying at night will be worth the effort when she has “a career and not just a job.” She is committed to earning her degree as a way to “build a better life for my kids.” She is not currently employed so she can concentrate on wrapping up her degree. Because food stamps and some support from the children’s father are the only sources of income, finances are very tight. Mom wrote she would like some help with Christmas gifts because she doesn’t want the littlest children “to think Santa forgot them or that they were bad.” When she learned she and her family were invited to participate in Share Your Christmas, her immediate response was, “That is SO awesome. Thank you!”

Science, basketball and the X-box game Fortnite are just some of the interests of the 11-year-old. He would like a Fortnite lamp, the Madden 19 game for X-box and a Dig for Geodes set. There are several unicorn-themed gifts, including a unicorn bean bag chair, on the Christmas list of the 9-year-old girl. She also likes crafts and playing board games with her family. The 7-year-old boy is also a fan of Fortnite, but he particularly enjoys sports and can usually be found outside playing football, soccer or baseball. He would like a remote-controlled tarantula spider and a magnetic dartboard. Mom writes the youngest member of the family, a 3-year-old boy, is “obsessed with all dinosaurs and loves watching Ryan’s Dinosaur Toy Review on YouTube.” A remote-controlled dinosaur would make Christmas morning very exciting for this little guy. It would be nice if the kids all had new shirts and pants to wear back to school in January. Maybe a donor can find dinosaur-themed pajamas or shirt for the 3-year-old.

No. 3: Health issues limit opportunities

The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas have often been very busy for this older man. He not only looks like Santa Claus, he has also spent many hours playing Santa for groups of children. He says bringing joy to kids has given him some of his happiest memories. Health issues mean he needs the assistance of the staff at a local care facility; however, these restrictions don’t keep him from continuing to bring joy to others. He likes to knit, crochet and do all kinds of crafts. He uses his skills to make special gifts for friends and family.

For Christmas gifts, this retired Santa has requested sweat pants, slippers and a sweater. His years of being Santa may have left him with an appetite for sweets. That might explain why he’s asking for special treats of candy or snack foods.

No. 4: Clothing, surprise needed for sweet resident

As a girl growing up on the farm, winter was a favorite time of the year for this care center resident. She smiles as she tells how she and her family would ride horses to a big hill where they would sled until everyone was cold and tired. After that, it was time to head for the house for hot chocolate with marshmallows. Raising her children and cooking big meals for her family are other happy memories she likes to share. Her caregiver described her this way: “She is probably the sweetest resident I’ve ever met. In three years, I’ve never heard her complain or say a harmful word against anyone. She is so humble and kind.”

Clothing — including sweat pants, shirt, sweater and slippers — are suggested gifts for this woman. Other than a pair of black gloves, she has not requested any other special gift. A donor is welcome to be creative in providing a Christmas surprise for this special woman.

Share Your Christmas

Share Your Christmas is the News-Leader’s and Crosslines’ annual campaign to give readers the opportunity to share their holiday spirit with others.

Families and residential care center residents may be adopted by a single donor or by a group working together to help one of the larger families. Donors can adopt an entire family, one family member, donate a single gift or donate any amount of money. Every dollar helps. Readers who wish to donate gifts can call Share Your Christmas at 417-866-8008. Callers should refer to the story number they wish to help, and they will be given specific information such as clothing sizes.

Gifts must be delivered to the east side of the Crosslines building at 615 N. Glenstone Ave. by Dec. 15. The hours to deliver gifts are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 15. If you are unable to deliver donations at these times, call 417-866-8008 to make other arrangements.

To make a monetary donation, send a check payable to Crosslines, Share Your Christmas, and the story number if applicable in the memo line. If the needs of that family or care center resident have been met and you are willing to help others in the Crosslines holiday programs, please write “or as needed” in the memo line. Donations can be made at http://crosslinesholiday.org/give/ or mailed to Share Your Christmas, 615 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield MO 65802. Monetary donations are welcome any time.